Piping Rehabilitation Services
| Click here to Print our Piping Rehabilitation Brochure with Adobe® |
|
The traditional approach in the Power Industry to rehabilitate piping components
typically involves some variation of a welded repair. However, this method can
be a cost prohibitive and time consuming approach to restoring system integrity.
In addition, when a degraded condition is initiated by a corrosion mechanism, the
welded repair does not always address the root cause of the failure. As an alternative,
consideration should be given to the use of internal mechanical seals to correct the
deficiency and prevent further corrosion attack. This rehabilitation technology utilizes
an EPDM rubber sleeve and steel retaining bands to isolate the affected area, stop
leakage and prevent further deterioration. These mechanical seals have been utilized
extensively in municipalities and industry to repair localized defects in piping systems
for numerous years. Before you start your next repair look closely at this insitu technology
for the rehabilitation of your piping systems as an option to the costly conventional methods
currently available.
Click Here for more Information or Print our Internal Mechanical Seals Brochure with Adobe®
Cured-In-Place-Pipe (CIPP)
This type of repair
requires the insertion of a carrier tube containing thermosetting resins and
reinforcement fillers into the host pipe. The length of the carrier tube is limited only by the pot
life of the resin and restrictions of piping geometry. Once the insertion is completed, the resin
is cured using hot water, air or steam, which is circulated through the host pipe. After curing,
the resultant product is a form-fitted, structurally reinforced resin pipe within the existing host
piping. The Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) has mechanical properties similar to those of fiberglass
piping. The savings of this type of repair, in both system downtime and replacement cost, is
substantial. This methodology provides utilities with a technically sound, economically feasible
solution to buried piping repairs.
Slip Lining
The Slip Lining process is also known as insertion method. This method consists of sliding a pipe/liner into the existing pipeline and then re-establishing the branch or lateral connections to the new liner. In this way the fracture or crack is sealed. The new liner has a smaller diameter than the old pipe so it can be easily moved inside the old pipeline. The new liners are made of materials such as Polyolefins, fiber reinforced polymers, PVC, reinforced thermosetting resins and steel or some other alloys. The slip lining method is recommended when the problem consists of excessive infiltration in non-pressure pipes, severe corrosion, damages understructures and when there is poor structural integrity. The main advantages of this method are the minimal excavation required and the little interference with the underground structures.Fold and Form
This repair method utilizes thermosetting plastic piping (such as PVC or HDPE) which is heated to its glass transition temperature (~190° F) and reformed in a shape compatible for insertion into the candidate repair piping. The piping is shipped to the job site typically on a roll in the deformed shape. Once at the job site the fold and form pipe is reheated to its glass transition temperature and is drawn into the host pipe through offsets and a limited number of elbows. At this point the pipe is capped at both ends and pressurized while hot air or steam (at the glass transition temperature) is recirculated. This causes the liner to soften and allows it to be forced against the host pipe wall. The heat source is subsequently removed and the liner is allowed to cool under pressure of the line is then gradually reduced and the end caps removed. The terminal point of the fold and form product are then sealed with specialized end seals. This technology is generally used to rehabilitate piping 12 inches in diameter and smaller, but can be utilized in sizes up to 24 inches.Epoxy-Fiber Repairs
The use of high strength organic fibers provides both the structural strength and flexibility needed to reinforce structures or components and can be designed to withstand all loading conditions. This is accomplished by using a fiber reinforcement mat consisting of Kevlar, fiberglass and carbon fibers that is held in place with a high strength epoxy resin. The strength of this product will ensure that the effects of thermal expansion, vibration and hydraulic loads will not degrade the repair area. The ability of this non-metallic material to withstand high load conditions is due both to the material strength to the epoxy/fibers and the ability of the fibers to transmit and distribute loads. The use of the fibers to transmit loads helps to minimize localized stress concentrations that can cause material failures. This process is applicable to the repair of concrete structures, tanks, vessels, piping, stacks and various structural shapes. Application of these composite materials result in light weight, low profile, high strength, corrosion resistant and low impact end product.